Side-by-side comparison

Austin vs Raleigh

Cost of living comparison for Austin, Texas and Raleigh, North Carolina.

Bottom line

Raleigh is approximately 3% more expensive than Austin. A single person needs about $3,827/mo in Raleigh versus $3,706/mo in Austin.

Rent in Austin vs Raleigh

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Austin · Studio

$1,549

Raleigh · Studio

$1,533

Austin is $16 (1%) higher than Raleigh

Austin · 1 bedroom

$1,650

Raleigh · 1 bedroom

$1,592

Austin is $58 (4%) higher than Raleigh

Austin · 2 bedroom

$1,949

Raleigh · 2 bedroom

$1,763

Austin is $186 (11%) higher than Raleigh

Austin · 3 bedroom

$2,484

Raleigh · 3 bedroom

$2,192

Austin is $292 (13%) higher than Raleigh

Income & earnings in Austin vs Raleigh

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Austin · Household income

$97,169

Raleigh · Household income

$101,763

Raleigh is $4,594 (5%) higher than Austin

Austin · Individual earnings

$55,186

Raleigh · Individual earnings

$54,712

Austin is $474 (1%) higher than Raleigh

Austin · Per capita

$59,289

Raleigh · Per capita

$52,949

Austin is $6,340 (12%) higher than Raleigh

Home values in Austin vs Raleigh

Average values and property tax.

Austin · Average home value

$487,600

Raleigh · Average home value

$422,800

Austin is $64,800 (15%) higher than Raleigh

Austin · Annual property tax

$7,487

Raleigh · Annual property tax

$3,023

Austin is $4,464 (148%) higher than Raleigh

Energy in Austin vs Raleigh

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Austin · Monthly electricity

$167

Raleigh · Monthly electricity

$147

Austin is $20 (14%) higher than Raleigh

Austin · Monthly gas

$32

Raleigh · Monthly gas

$40

Raleigh is $8 (25%) higher than Austin

Austin · Annual total

$2,388

Raleigh · Annual total

$2,244

Austin is $144 (6%) higher than Raleigh

Healthcare in Austin vs Raleigh

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Austin · Individual premium

$480

Raleigh · Individual premium

$480

Austin and Raleigh are about the same

Austin · Family premium

$1,350

Raleigh · Family premium

$1,350

Austin and Raleigh are about the same

Austin · Uninsured rate

12.2%

Raleigh · Uninsured rate

8.2%

Austin is 4.0% (49%) higher than Raleigh

Taxes in Austin vs Raleigh

State income and sales tax.

Austin · State income tax

0.0%

Raleigh · State income tax

4.5%

Raleigh is 4.5% higher than Austin

Austin · State sales tax

6.3%

Raleigh · State sales tax

4.8%

Austin is 1.5% (32%) higher than Raleigh

Austin · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Raleigh · Combined sales tax

7.0%

Austin is 1.2% (17%) higher than Raleigh

Transportation in Austin vs Raleigh

Commute time and travel modes.

Austin · Average commute

25.4 min

Raleigh · Average commute

25.3 min

Austin is 0.1 min (0%) higher than Raleigh

Austin · Drive alone

59.7%

Raleigh · Drive alone

64.4%

Raleigh is 4.7% (8%) higher than Austin

Austin · Public transit

1.7%

Raleigh · Public transit

0.7%

Austin is 1.0% (143%) higher than Raleigh

Monthly cost estimates in Austin vs Raleigh

All categories combined.

Austin · Single person

$3,706

Raleigh · Single person

$3,827

Raleigh is $121 (3%) higher than Austin

Austin · Couple

$5,280

Raleigh · Couple

$5,526

Raleigh is $246 (5%) higher than Austin

Austin · Family

$7,957

Raleigh · Family

$8,087

Raleigh is $130 (2%) higher than Austin

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Austin and Raleigh.

Is Austin or Raleigh more expensive?

Raleigh is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,706/mo in Austin, Texas and $3,827/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina, a difference of about 3%.

What is the rent difference between Austin and Raleigh?

Average one-bedroom rent in Austin, Texas is $1,650/mo versus $1,592/mo in Raleigh, North Carolina. Austin is approximately $58 (4%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Austin or Raleigh?

Raleigh has the higher average household income. Austin households earn approximately $97,169 per year; Raleigh households earn approximately $101,763 per year.

More on Austin and Raleigh

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Austin profile Raleigh profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.